The one play run by the Colts that has the Giants buzzing is a neat little ball-handling ploy that involves all three of Indianapolis’ main weapons. It’s a play the Giants expect to see in tomorrow’s battle of first-place teams, a play they are determined not to get beat by.

The Colts are effective running sweeps with Edgerrin James, and once a defense comes to anticipate the play, Peyton Manning pulls off an exaggerated play-fake, making an elongated, deep handoff motion to James that more often than not suckers defensive backs into thinking run. Marvin Harrison does his part by casually jogging off the line of scrimmage, selling the run, and then bursting into a deep route. One misstep by a cornerback allows Harrison, who leads the AFC with nine touchdown catches, to roam free. That is why in all those highlights Harrison is alone on the TV screen.

“It’s a good fake and it freezes a lot of DBs because their eyes are in the backfield, so you’re got to be careful,” Phillippi Sparks said.

“They run the ball so well and Manning does such a good job with the play-action that a lot of times those guys think the ball’s handed off and they’ve got their eyes so far in the backfield,” added Jason Sehorn. “You watch [Harrison] come off the line of scrimmage and he doesn’t come flying, he comes jogging off, and all of a sudden about seven yards he takes off. You’ll see him just lollygagging, trying to lull you to sleep, kind of like the rope-a-dope. It catches people off guard.” *MLB Corey Widmer did not practice yesterday because of stiffness in his back and could be cause for concern. Widmer was listed as probable on Thursday and yesterday was downgraded to questionable. Asked why Widmer did not practice, Jim Fassel said, “It was best for him to continue to get some therapy and to keep him off his feet.” If Widmer is unavailable, Pete Monty would get his first NFL start.

Is there any reason to believe the Giants can awaken their dormant running game? “I like what we’re going to do, I like our plan against them,” Fassel said. “Other than that, there’s no reason. I don’t have anybody back, we don’t have Gary [Brown], I don’t have Joe [Montgomery]. We’re pretty much playing with the same guys. I’ve changed some things. We’ll see if it works.” *Defensive coordinator John Fox is pulling no punches in calling for his top players, DE Michael Strahan and LB Jessie Armstead, to come up big against the explosive Colts. “In games like this, we’re going to need more from everybody,” Fox said. “Our stars have got to be better than their stars. There’s not too many big games where people’s stars don’t play well.” After a solid week of practice, Fassel likes what he sees and feels from his team heading into the second half of the season. “I just feel this team senses the urgency with everything,” Fassel said … All the talk of the Colts’ threesome of Manning, James and Harrison emulating the Cowboys Hall of Fame trio of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin has Manning feeling a bit defensive. After all, he is a second-year quarterback and James is a rookie. “I think it is a little far-fetched, just because of what those guys have accomplished,” Manning said. “They have three rings on their fingers and have won three championships. I will say it is a nice goal to go after, to achieve what those guys have done.” *The Giants will hold a coat drive tomorrow to benefit New York Cares. Fans attending the Giants-Colts are asked to donate gently worn coats. There will be collection sites at each entrance to Giants Stadium.